One of the guys on the Western Washington University track team has PRs of 32:58 and 16:16. He ran 5k's both before and after that 10k. He had a mental block in the 5k or something. Most college runners should be able to go under 16 if they can break 33 for 10k.
Just for reference, the Daniel's Running formula equivalent performances lists 33:01 as a 15:54.
I calculate 33:00 to be physiologically equal to 15:54, but some people do better the longer the distance, and any formula is derived to calculate the mean difference, with a good bit of variability
senior year in hs ran a 32:29 road 10k, best 5k before that was 16:20s. but never focused on running a fast road 5k. Actaully ran 16:30/15:59 splits, so i guess i have broken 16. That was actaully the day after a track invite. Ran 4:31/9:48. Too bad I didnt have a (good) coach. got injuried...just now getting my footing back.
The run for life 5k was also notoriously short, that makes a real good 10k off that pr.
This has been an interesting thread. For us slower folks, the equivalent time for a 40 minute 10k would be a 19:24 5k.
2 years ago i ran 32:46, got injured, and only came up with a 16:30 for 5K. i'm back now and plan to go 15:30ish indoors, we wil see.
but to answer the questions, yes i've gone under 33:00 but not 16:00. ironic, don't you think?